《太上洞淵神咒經》Vol. 4

This scripture describes how wandering ghosts and malevolent spirits cause chaos in the mortal realm, and how Daoist deities subdue these demonic forces.

Since the ancient era of Fuxi, the souls of fallen soldiers have roamed the battlefield. Some corpses were mutilated, others decapitated—these restless spirits, unable to find peace, transformed into all manner of ghosts: headless specters, limbless phantoms, beings with mouths but no eyes. They lurk among forests and trees, secretly draining the vital essence (Qi) and lifespan of the living, unnoticed by ordinary people.

These ghosts bring calamities upon humanity: ruining crops, disturbing households, causing illnesses, sudden livestock deaths, provoking quarrels and lawsuits, and frequently unleashing disasters of fire and flood. These are the wandering souls of those who died far from home, as well as demonic entities like Li Zi'ao of the Clouds, who ride the wind and mist to spread harm among people and livestock.

Folk sorcerers often blame such misfortunes on ancestral spirits, but in truth, it is these lesser ghosts causing trouble. They recklessly torment the living, leading to an ever-growing number of wrongful deaths in the world.

Now, the Great Demon Kings (high-ranking Daoist deities) of the Daoist pantheon, leading 4.8 billion troops—with each king commanding another 800 million subordinates—have been ordered to capture all these unruly ghosts. Particularly those that inflict severe illness or push mortals to the brink of death must be expelled a thousand miles away. Any that resist will be pursued by the Great Sha Generals with 900 million celestial soldiers, showing no mercy.

The scripture further details specific interventions: if someone suffers from slander and disputes, the Lunar Official (Taiyin Guan) will dispatch 140,000 divine troops to slay the ghosts of envy; if trapped in lawsuits or imprisonment, Lord Zunshi will send 720,000 divine soldiers to deal with the malicious spirits that bring shackles and torture; and when facing disasters of fire or flood, Song Xianwen will lead 280,000 Wind-Water Generals to annihilate the troublemaking ghosts, scattering their souls to oblivion.

(Note: In Daoism, "Great Demon Kings" refer to high-ranking guardian deities, not evil entities; "Lunar Official," "Lord Zunshi," and similar titles denote divine offices; "Song Xianwen" is the name of a deity governing wind and water.)

This scripture details the specific methods Daoist priests use to exorcise ghosts and heal illnesses. First, it enumerates various types of malevolent spirits: child ghosts, wandering dead ghosts, livestock-shaped human ghosts, five-wood hundred-demon ghosts, as well as ghosts from the regions of the Man, Yi, Di, and Liao tribes, ghosts of northern nomadic peoples, mountain-dwelling ghosts, water-dwelling ghosts, fire-dwelling ghosts, archer ghosts, ten-thousand-kind ghosts, twelve types of disease-bringing ghosts, ghosts of livestock and servants, and ghosts of those who died by suicide, among others. The scripture warns these ghosts to immediately descend a thousand feet underground and cease causing illness or legal troubles for people—otherwise, they will be mercilessly executed.

When a Daoist priest treats an illness, the patient’s family must first welcome the priest. The priest begins by crafting talismans (fulu): using cinnabar to inscribe them on white silk, then hanging them according to the twelve earthly branches (time periods) and key household locations (gates, doors, wells, stoves, etc.). Additionally, twenty-one ingestible talismans must be made for the patient to take three times daily—morning, noon, and evening—with three more doses at night.

The priest must face north in the courtyard, recite memorial petitions, and perform rituals through scripture recitation and "Pacing the Void" (a Daoist ceremonial walking technique). If resources are limited and a grand purification ritual (zhaijiao) cannot be held, the priest should at least perform scripture recitations three times daily. If a major ritual is possible, it must follow all proper protocols. The text also emphasizes the importance of almsgiving, as it attracts divine protection and benefits; without it, the deities mentioned in the scriptures will not offer aid, and illnesses will be difficult to cure.

Finally, the scripture meticulously outlines the use of sixteen talismans:

• The first and second talismans are posted in specific directions to protect the household.
• The third is hung on the main gate.
• The fourth on the inner door.
• The fifth is placed in the southeast (Xun position).
• The sixth in due south (Wu position).
• The seventh in the southwest (Kun position).
• The eighth in due west (You position).
• The ninth in the northwest (Qian position).
• The tenth in due north (Zi position).
• The eleventh in the northeast (Gen position).
• The twelfth safeguards the home.
• The thirteenth is placed on the stove.
• The fourteenth is posted in the latrine.
• The fifteenth is dissolved in water for the patient to drink.
• The sixteenth is written in twenty-one copies for the patient to take three times daily.

This passage elucidates Daoist methods for exorcising malevolent forces and healing illnesses, focusing on the formidable exorcistic power wielded by the Masters of Three Caverns (Sanqing-trained senior Daoists well-versed in the Three Caverns scriptures). The scripture sternly warns plague-spreading demons that if they persist in harming humans, the King of Ghosts (ruler of the underworld) will cleave their heads into twelve pieces. Malevolent spirits and evil deities from all directions must immediately disperse and cease tormenting the people. Wherever a Daoist recites this scripture, diseases will naturally be cured.

The text identifies "Lianzi" as a collective of plague-disseminating demons, against whom the celestial realm has dispatched twelve types of divine warriors (Dharma-protecting generals) to subdue them. Should these demons continue their mischief, the King of Ghosts will split their skulls into sixty fragments. It particularly emphasizes that any household assisting Daoist healers—should they dare obstruct the priests' lifesaving work—will face equally severe punishment.

Subsequent passages reveal that virtuous individuals in this world are all reincarnated celestial beings, including kings who embrace Daoist teachings. Those devoted to the Three Caverns scriptures have cultivated profound Daoist affinities across past lives. Wherever these Daoists propagate the teachings, the King of Ghosts will actively assist in exorcisms and healing. Anyone violating these sacred ordinances shall be executed without leniency.

The conclusion observes that worldly suffering arises when people reject orthodox teachings (Zhengyi), accumulating transgressions that unleash hellish ghost soldiers. Yet the moment someone takes refuge in the Dao, mighty Dharma protectors like the Demon King Zizhen and Konglun will descend to aid them. The entire scripture resounds with dire warnings against evil entities while magnificently demonstrating Daoist ritual power to heal and save all beings.

This scripture primarily explains how Daoist priests expel ghosts and heal diseases through cultivation and ritual practices, as well as the protective role of ghost kings in supporting these priests.

Cultivating the Daoist path fortifies the mind, and when rulers of states embrace Daoism, they can guide and educate the people. Wherever a Daoist priest performs healing, malignant ghostly energies (Qi) will retreat a thousand miles away. Should any ghosts refuse to submit, the demon kings (Mowang) will ruthlessly execute them.

Currently, ghostly beings throughout the ten directions are governed by demon kings. From now on, ghosts are forbidden from wantonly harming virtuous people—they may only hide by day and emerge at night. Wherever a Daoist priest goes, ghost kings will assist in protection, ensuring that neither wicked humans nor evil spirits dare to offend them. If any person or ghost attempts to harm a priest, they will be slain, demonstrating the majesty of the Daoist teachings. This is the supreme decree, to be strictly observed—violators will face execution.

In this world, there are eighty-nine types of sinners who will be punished by demon-slaying ghosts. The ghosts of mountains, forests, water, and fire—numbering 3,900 in total—are ruled by the Great Harmony Ghost King (Dahe Guiwang) and can inflict various illnesses. The ghost king overseeing livestock is called Dunu, commanding 800,000 minor ghosts who specialize in spreading malignant sores, bloody flux, and similar afflictions. There are also 3,000 crow ghosts, whose king, Wenqingzi, brings incurable diseases like red fever and white leprosy. Those who commit grave evils and reject the Three Caverns (Dongzhen, Dongxuan, Dongshen—the Daoist canon) will suffer these incurable plagues brought by these malignant birds. But from now on, wherever a Daoist priest performs healing, diseases will be cured, wishes fulfilled, and the ghost kings will accumulate merit (De) for their service.

In the Central Plains, 39,000 people possess the destiny for immortality, including figures like Sun Daoliu and Wang Zining from Qinzhou, Hanzhong, and the Three Wu regions—3,000 in total—who gathered at Wudang Palace to gather herbs for the immortal maiden Du Lanxiang. Today, any priest who diligently studies the scriptures of the Three Caverns can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these immortals. Priests must strive in self-cultivation to save themselves and rescue people in distress. Wherever a priest recites scriptures and practices the Dao, demon kings will naturally submit. Those who remain defiant despite repeated recitations and warnings will be shown no mercy.

Among the teachings of the Three Caverns, divine incantations hold the utmost importance, for this scripture can subdue all...

This scripture primarily describes how Daoist practitioners (daoshi) receive protection from various demon kings during scripture recitation and cultivation, as well as the punishments for violating Daoist teachings.

The text states that when daoshi recite scriptures and practice cultivation, the Great Demon King along with forty-nine demon kings (including Wu Chuanlianzi, Wen Jixiu, Feng Linzi, etc.) and three thousand six hundred minor kings all protect these practitioners from disturbances. If these demon kings faithfully guard the daoshi, they will eventually attain immortality and realize the Dao. However, if they fail to protect the daoshi, instead aiding evil forces, undermining the righteous path, or preventing daoshi from healing the sick, these demon kings will be executed without mercy.

Across the world, four hundred ninety thousand malevolent ghosts cause fatal harm, but when daoshi recite scriptures, such calamities cease. If a ruler faithfully upholds the teachings of the Three Caverns (Sanqing, the comprehensive Daoist canon), his descendants will enjoy nobility for generations. The Great Demon King’s princes, Wu Chun and Lin Qi, command eighty million ghostly troops and lead ten thousand ghosts to kill people during the Renwu and Guihai years. However, if they indiscriminately slaughter innocent people, these demon kings and minor ghosts will be slain.

The scripture prophesies that during the Renchen year, a True Lord (Zhenjun, an honorific title for a realized Daoist master) will emerge in China, leading thirty million followers. At that time, diseases will plague the world. In the Renwu year, some will enter the mountains to guide the ignorant, but if the ignorant reject the Daoist teachings, they will suffer floods and warfare. Only those daoshi who uphold the scriptures will receive the protection of demon kings, avoiding untimely deaths and gaining the ability to heal others. Those who violate the Daoist teachings will cause the demon kings’ heads to split into eighteen pieces.

Finally, the text emphasizes that most wicked people die because they lack knowledge of the true path. Today, masters of the Three Caverns (Sanqing, high-ranking Daoist ritual specialists) are revered by both humans and spirits. Wherever daoshi recite scriptures and practice the Dao, demon kings must not cause disturbances. Ghost kings who disobey will be executed by the celestial axe. These admonitions must be transmitted to the demon kings of the Thirty-Six Heavens and their descendants, commanding them to comply reverently.